Climate and WeatherClimate and Weather

What factors play in to a placeWhat factors play in to a place’’s s weather patterns?weather patterns?

Altitude: Need to KnowAltitude: Need to Know

At points of higher elevation, air temperature is At points of higher elevation, air temperature is much, much colder. much, much colder.

Humidity also drops at areasHumidity also drops at areas

Of higher altitude.Of higher altitude.

For every 1000 feet : For every 1000 feet :

3.5 degree drop.3.5 degree drop.

Latitude and Tilt: Need to KnowLatitude and Tilt: Need to KnowAs the earth revolves around the sun, it tilts on its axis As the earth revolves around the sun, it tilts on its axis (23.5 degrees). Whichever point of the earth is most in (23.5 degrees). Whichever point of the earth is most in line with the sun receives it rays most directly, while points line with the sun receives it rays most directly, while points further away receive less direct heat from the sun and are further away receive less direct heat from the sun and are colder.colder.

Points at the Poles: never close enough to receive much Points at the Poles: never close enough to receive much direct light and are always cold.direct light and are always cold.

Point in the tropics: never far from direct light and are always Point in the tropics: never far from direct light and are always warm.warm.

Points between 23.5 and 66.5: get distinct seasons because Points between 23.5 and 66.5: get distinct seasons because of planetary tilt.of planetary tilt.

Latitude and Tilt: Nice to KnowLatitude and Tilt: Nice to Know When it is winter in the Northern When it is winter in the Northern

Hemisphere it is summer in the Hemisphere it is summer in the Southern (and vice versa)Southern (and vice versa)

When the equator is receiving the When the equator is receiving the sunsun’’s most direct rays it is called s most direct rays it is called an equinox. There are two an equinox. There are two equinoxes: fall (autumnal) and equinoxes: fall (autumnal) and spring (vernal).spring (vernal).

When the Tropic of Cancer is When the Tropic of Cancer is most directly receiving the sunmost directly receiving the sun’’s s rays, it is known as the Summer rays, it is known as the Summer Solstice.Solstice.

When the Tropic of Capricorn is When the Tropic of Capricorn is most directly receiving the sunmost directly receiving the sun’’s s rays it is known as the Winter rays it is known as the Winter Solstice.Solstice.

Distance from large bodies of Distance from large bodies of water: Need to Knowwater: Need to Know

Large bodies of water have a much more consistent Large bodies of water have a much more consistent temperature than land does, meaning that even in temperature than land does, meaning that even in extreme heat and cold water temperature will vary little. extreme heat and cold water temperature will vary little. Winds blowing off the water take on its temperature, Winds blowing off the water take on its temperature, making the land nearby warmer in the winter and cooler making the land nearby warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.in the summer.

In the winter: a large body of water In the winter: a large body of water Warms up the landWarms up the landIn the summer: a large body ofIn the summer: a large body ofWater cools down the land.Water cools down the land.

Topography: Need to KnowTopography: Need to Know

As air from the coast ascends a mountain, the air begins to As air from the coast ascends a mountain, the air begins to cool and clouds form from this moisture. As the clouds cool and clouds form from this moisture. As the clouds become more dense, some of the moisture falls to the become more dense, some of the moisture falls to the earth as precipitation. As the air descends the opposite earth as precipitation. As the air descends the opposite side, the air heats up, and the clouds thin out and side, the air heats up, and the clouds thin out and disappear. disappear.

For this reason: the sides of For this reason: the sides of

mountains facing oceans are mountains facing oceans are

often wet. The sides of often wet. The sides of

mountains facing away frommountains facing away from

oceans are often dry.oceans are often dry.

Topography: Nice to KnowTopography: Nice to Know

The sides of mountains facing away from The sides of mountains facing away from oceans are said to have a oceans are said to have a ““rain shadowrain shadow””. . This means the air and land are incredibly This means the air and land are incredibly dry due to the effects of topography.dry due to the effects of topography.